Types and Classes of Fires
Understanding fires is essential to implementing the best measures for fire prevention and safety. When you know the various types and classes of fire, it will be easier to choose the most suitable systems and products for your building.
Why Understanding Fire Classes Matters
If you own a residential, commercial or industrial property, you are responsible for the safety of the people and assets therein. Fire emergencies are among some of the biggest threats to safety that most people face in both living and work spaces today.
There are different classifications of fires primarily based on the sources of fuel or causes. One of the key areas where the knowledge of fire types and classes will come in handy is when buying fire extinguishers. That is because fire extinguishers are rated for putting out different kinds of fires.
Understanding the various types and classes of fires will enable you to know the potential fire risks on your building. As a result, you will know just the right fire extinguishers to acquire for proper protection whenever they occur.
Ordinary Combustibles
Flammable Liquids & Gases
Electrical Components
Combustible Metals
Cooking Oils & Fats
Main Types and Classes of Fires
Class A — Ordinary Combustibles
Class A fires are referred to as ordinary combustibles, often caused by common flammable materials found in homes, offices, businesses and industrial environments. These fires result from materials like wood, plastics, fabrics, paper and garbage. Class A fires are a common occurrence in many residential, commercial and industrial premises today.
Fuel Sources
Wood, plastics, fabrics, paper, garbage
Common Locations
Homes, offices, businesses and industrial environments
How to Extinguish
Water or a solution of monoammonium phosphate
Class B — Flammable Liquids & Gases
Class B fires are mainly caused by flammable liquids or gas. The most popular fuel sources include gasoline, kerosene, paints, oils and other petroleum-based products. Class B fires also result from flammable gases like propane and butane. These fires are mainly common in industrial establishments that deal with the processing, distribution and storage of petroleum products and gas.
Fuel Sources
Gasoline, kerosene, paints, oils, propane, butane
Common Locations
Industrial establishments, petroleum processing and storage
How to Extinguish
Suppression agent that smothers flames to deprive them of oxygen and stop chemical reactions
Class C — Electrical Components
The main fuel source for class C fires is electrical components. The fires often result from faults like short circuits or shocks on electrical systems and equipment. The main areas of electrical faults that fuel class C fires include transformers, appliances and motors. These types of fires are common in industrial premises with heavy electrical equipment that use a lot of power. However, they can also occur in homes and small business spaces as a result of wiring problems or faulty electrical appliances.
Fuel Sources
Transformers, appliances, motors, wiring, electrical equipment
Common Locations
Industrial premises, homes with faulty appliances, small business spaces
How to Extinguish
Immediate power shutdown and use of non-conductive chemical solutions
Class D — Combustible Metals
Class D fires are fires that use combustible metals as their primary fuel source. Some of the metals that cause these fires include magnesium, titanium, potassium and aluminium. Class D fires are mostly common in laboratories. However, combustible metals are also used in various industrial manufacturing and production procedures. Such fires are hazardous and cannot be put out using ordinary agents like water.
Fuel Sources
Magnesium, titanium, potassium, aluminium and other combustible metals
Common Locations
Laboratories and industrial manufacturing facilities
How to Extinguish
Powder agents that absorb the heat and smothers the flames
Class K — Cooking Oils & Fats
Most people often confuse class K fires with class B fires because they share relatively the same fuel sources. However, they are very different from each other. Class K fires are caused by combustible liquids and mainly occur in cooking areas during food preparation. These fires are started and fuelled by cooking substances like cooking oils, vegetable fats, greases, and animal fats. Class K fires are dangerous and can cause greater destructions in a short time.
Fuel Sources
Cooking oils, vegetable fats, greases, animal fats
Common Locations
Restaurants, hotels, home kitchens and food preparation areas
How to Extinguish
Wet chemicals
Choose the Right Fire Extinguisher for Better Fire Safety
At Ezzogenics, we provide a wider selection of industry-standard portable fire extinguishers for dealing with all the above types and classes of fires.